Metal-contaminated indoor and outdoor housedust from a neighborhood Smelter area in Torreón, Mexico

In this study environmental samples (aerosols, indoor and outdoor dust samples) were taken within a >100 km2 area surrounding the smelter in Torreón (NE México). Samples were analyzed for Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations using trace-metal clean techniques. Results in outdoor ambient air ranged from 0.7 to 12.6 and 30 to 790 ng m−3 of Cd and Zn, respectively. In outdoor dust Cd ranged from 4.2 to 56.2 μg g−1 (median 12.6 μg g−1) and Zn from 509 to 16,483 μg g−1 (2,451 μg g−1). Concentrations were greatest closest to the smelter and decreased with distance from the smelter, with the highest levels corresponding with the prevailing wind direction. According to the literature, the levels of Cd, Pb and Zn found in the urban area from Torreón could have consequences for human and environmental health.